Ever since I started considering leaving my full-time role as Regional Manager at youth social action charity Envision to move fully into the world of music, one of my ambitions has been to set up a charity working with refugees and asylum seekers, and using singing as a way of bringing people together to combat loneliness and isolation and promote wellbeing. Last year that ambition began to gather momentum, and Voices Welcome finally emerged into the world. Or at least, secured itself a registered charity number (1173490) and some initial trustees and supporters.

So far we have been working hard on the behind the scenes work. We have a constitution and policies and a business plan, a logo and branding. We have website in development and a fundraising plan in progress. We’ve made some good connections in Southwark and run 2 highly successful pilot sessions with Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers.

Trustees needed

Now we want to grow our existing team of trustees. We’re currently recruiting for 1-2 additional trustees to join us and help get this exciting project off the ground. We are looking for people who are proactive, reliable and enthusiastic and ready to get stuck in. If you’ve got experience of fundraising (especially bid writing), finance, trustee experience, or experience of being a refugee, that’s a bonus.

It’s that time of year when everyone starts thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. Here are 7 good reasons why joining a choir should be one of yours.

1. Singing is relaxing – it’s a brilliant way to distract our minds from things that are making us stressed. When we sing we learn to breathe more deeply which is great for relaxation. Singing also releases oxytocin which relieves stress.

2. Banish the January Blues! Singing releases endorphins which are ‘happy hormones’. You’ll have a spring in your step for the rest of the week!

3. Learn how to sing in harmony, improve your confidence singing, and get better at it the more you do it! Every week we’ll start with a bit of vocal development technique and then move on to learning and singing some songs in harmony. You don’t need to have any previous experience or training, or be able to read music, or classify yourself as a “good singer”. You definitely don’t have to audition!

4. All my choirs are flexible. You don’t have to be able to come every week, or commit to signing up to a whole term up front. You can do this if you like, or you can come along on a drop-in basis, as much or as little as you’re able to. You’ll always be welcome, whether you come every week, or just once a term.

5. Meet a whole load of friendly people who live in your local area. Joining a choir is a great way to make new friends. And we usually always pop down the road to the pub for a drink and a chat at the end of the session.

6. It’s good for your health. Singing is an aerobic activity so it increases the amount of oxygen in our blood, exercises muscle groups in the upper body, increases lung capacity, is good for the heart and has been shown to boost the immune system. It’s good for the brain too – it can enhance your memory, concentration and awareness.